Material processing functionality in handheld laser system

Abstract

A nozzle assembly for performing material processing operations with a handheld laser system on a surface of a workpiece. The handheld laser system comprises a laser source configured to generate laser radiation, a handheld device that guides the laser radiation, and an optical fiber coupling the handheld device to the laser source, and the nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle configured to deliver the laser radiation to the surface, and a coupling mechanism that includes a retaining portion formed on an output end of the handheld device, and an engagement portion configured to be releasably attachable to the nozzle and engage with the retaining portion. A rearward ring provides a first initial coupling with the handheld device and an intermediate ring is rotated to provide a final coupling where the nozzle is non movably secured to the handheld device.

1 . A nozzle assembly for performing material processing operations with a handheld laser system on a surface of a workpiece, the handheld laser system having a laser source configured to generate laser radiation, a handheld device for guiding the laser radiation, an optical fiber coupling the handheld device to the laser source, a retaining portion formed on an output end of the handheld device, the retaining portion having a forwardly projecting tubular portion with an outer annular surface having connection features, the nozzle assembly comprising:
 a forward nozzle configured to deliver the laser radiation to the surface; and   a coupling mechanism comprising;
 an engagement portion configured to be releaseably engageable with the retaining portion of the handheld device and to be lockable thereon, the engagement portion further configured to receive and release the nozzle or a nozzle extension; 
 wherein the engagement portion comprises: 
 a central core having a central axial opening for the laser radiation; 
 a protective window positioned over the central axial opening on a rearward end of the core; 
 a collet portion secured to or unitary with the central core at a forward end of the core, a forward nut for tightening the collet about the nozzle or about a nozzle extension; 
 an outer rearward ring rotatable with respect to the core for releasable attachment with the outer annular surface of the retaining portion for an initial coupling of the engagement portion to the retaining portion of the handheld device thereby positioning the protective window within the retaining portion of the handheld device, the outer ring having internal threads; 
 an inner intermediate ring exposed forwardly of the outer ring and rotatably coupled with the core, the inner ring having outer threads engaged with the internal threads of the outer rearward ring, the inner intermediate ring rotatable for a final coupling after the outer rearward ring is attached to the outer annular surface of the retaining portion for the initial coupling, whereby when the inner intermediate ring is rotated, the central core is pushed rearwardly toward a stop position thereby locking the engagement portion to the retaining portion of the handheld device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an axially compressible annular spring is positioned between the inner intermediate ring and the core, whereby when the outer rearward ring is attached to the annular surface of the retaining portion for the initial coupling of the engagement portion to the retaining portion of the handheld device, the central core is biased toward the retaining portion of the handheld device. 
     
     
         3 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 2 , wherein when the inner intermediate ring is rotated after the initial coupling, the annular spring is axially compressed. 
     
     
         4 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a rearwardly facing surface of the inner intermediate ring engages a forward facing surface of the rearward ring for effecting the rearward pushing of the central core. 
     
     
         5 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the inner intermediate ring has an exterior tool interface and the nozzle assembly further comprising a tool for rotating the inner intermediate ring for locking the engagement portion to the retaining portion of the handheld device. 
     
     
         6 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the outer annular surface of the retaining portion has a plurality of balls positioned in a plurality of respective recesses circumferentially spaced about the outer annular surface. 
     
     
         7 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the outer rearward ring has a plurality of slots for receiving the plurality of balls positioned in the plurality of respective recesses. 
     
     
         8 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the collet clamps onto a tubular nozzle extension, and the nozzle is attached to a forward end of the tubular nozzle extension. 
     
     
         9 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 1  in combination with the handheld device. 
     
     
         10 . The combination of  claim 9 , in further combination with the laser source and an optical fiber. 
     
     
         11 . A nozzle assembly for performing material processing operations with a handheld laser system on a surface of a workpiece, the handheld laser system having a laser source configured to generate laser radiation, a handheld device for guiding the laser radiation, an optical fiber coupling the handheld device to the laser source, a retaining portion formed on an output end of the handheld device, the retaining portion having a forwardly projecting tubular portion having connection features, the nozzle assembly comprising:
 a central core having a central axial opening for the laser radiation;   a protective window positioned over the central axial opening on a rearward end of the core;   a collet portion secured to or unitary with the central core at a forward end of the core, a forward nut for tightening the collet about a nozzle or about a nozzle extension;   an outer rearward ring rotatable with respect to the core for releasable attachment with the retaining portion of the handheld device for an initial coupling of the central core to the handheld device;   an inner intermediate ring exposed forwardly of the outer ring and rotatably coupled with the core and threadingly engaged with the outer rearward ring, whereby after the initial coupling of the central core to the handheld device the inner intermediate ring may be rotated thereby pushing the central core rearward toward the handheld device for a final coupling of the nozzle assembly to the handheld device.   
     
     
         12 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 11 , wherein an axially compressible annular spring is positioned between the inner intermediate ring and the core, whereby when the outer rearward ring is attached to the annular surface of the retaining portion for the initial coupling of the engagement portion to the retaining portion of the handheld device, the central core is biased toward the retaining portion of the handheld device. 
     
     
         13 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 12 , wherein when the inner intermediate ring is rotated after the initial coupling, the annular spring is axially compressed. 
     
     
         14 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 11 , wherein a rearwardly facing surface of the inner intermediate ring engages a forward facing surface of the rearward ring for effecting the rearward pushing of the central core. 
     
     
         15 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the inner intermediate ring has an exterior tool interface and the nozzle assembly further comprising a tool for rotating the inner intermediate ring for locking the engagement portion to the retaining portion of the handheld device. 
     
     
         16 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the outer annular surface of the retaining portion has a plurality of balls positioned in a plurality of respective recesses circumferentially spaced about the outer annular surface and wherein the outer rearward ring has a plurality of slots for receiving the plurality of balls positioned in the plurality of respective recesses providing a twist on attachment. 
     
     
         17 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the collet clamps onto a tubular nozzle extension, and the nozzle is attached to a forward end of the tubular nozzle extension. 
     
     
         18 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 11 , in combination with the handheld device. 
     
     
         19 . A nozzle assembly for performing material processing operations with a handheld laser system on a surface of a workpiece, the handheld laser system having a laser source configured to generate laser radiation, a handheld device for guiding the laser radiation, an optical fiber coupling the handheld device to the laser source, a retaining portion formed on an output end of the handheld device, the retaining portion having a forwardly projecting tubular portion having connection features, the nozzle assembly comprising:
 a nozzle with a central axial opening for transmitting the laser radiation to the work piece;   a central core connecting to the nozzle and having a central axial opening for the laser radiation;   a protective window positioned over the central axial opening on a rearward end of the core;   an outer rearward ring rotatable with respect to the core for a releasable attachment with the retaining portion of the handheld device for an initial coupling of the central core to the handheld device thereby positioning the protective window within the retaining portion of the handheld device;   an inner intermediate ring exposed forwardly of the outer ring and rotatably coupled with the core and engaged with the outer rearward ring, whereby after the initial coupling of the central core to the handheld device the inner intermediate ring may be rotated thereby pushing the central core rearward toward the handheld device for a final coupling of the nozzle assembly to the handheld device.   
     
     
         20 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 19 , in combination with the handheld device.